Bring a burst of color and flavor to your dinner table with this easy Normandy Blend Vegetables recipe. You’ll love how quickly these roasted veggies come together—just 25 minutes, start to finish! This dish is brimming with texture from tender-crisp veggies, brightened by lemon, and wrapped up in the melty goodness of sharp cheddar. It’s the ultimate side for busy weeknights, and couldn’t be simpler.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Easy: Straight from freezer to oven—hardly any prep, just toss, bake, and you’re done in under half an hour.
- Flavor Explosion: Tangy lemon and sharp cheddar dial up the taste, making these veggies miles better than your usual side.
- Versatile: Pairs perfectly with almost any main dish, from roast chicken to salmon or your favorite meatless entrée.
- Crowd Pleaser: Even picky eaters ask for seconds. That cheesy topping transforms everyday vegetables into something special.
- Healthy but Satisfying: All the vitamins and fiber you need, plus the satisfaction of melty cheese.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a little guide to what makes this dish sing—and why you shouldn’t skip a thing:
- Frozen Normandy Blend Vegetables: The hero! A classic medley, usually broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and squash. Using frozen saves serious time.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the roast with real flavor depth and warmth.
- Olive Oil: For perfect roasting and a touch of richness. Don’t substitute with another oil unless you must—olive oil has the best flavor.
- Salt & Black Pepper: The must-have seasoning duo. Taste as you go if you like, but they offer just the right base layer.
- Lemon (Zest and Juice): Absolute magic—brightens and lifts the whole dish. Don’t skip the zest; it’s fragrant and lovely!
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: This brings melty richness that contrasts beautifully with the roasted veggies. Go sharp for the best flavor payoff.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
- Use Fresh Veggies: Swap frozen for fresh carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and squash—just chop into bite-sized pieces and reduce baking time by 3-5 minutes.
- Different Cheeses: Switch in gruyere, parmesan, or a smoky gouda if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Add Heat: Sprinkle with a pinch of crushed red pepper or a dash of smoked paprika before baking for extra warmth.
- Herb Power: Toss in some chopped fresh parsley or thyme with the cheese for an herbal punch.
- Vegan Version: Simply omit the cheese or use a vegan cheddar alternative.
How to Make The Best Normandy Blend Vegetables Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat gives you lovely caramelized edges in no time.
Step 2: Season the Veggies
Grab your Normandy blend veggies—no need to thaw. Place them in a large bowl or a big resealable bag. Add minced garlic, a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss or shake until every piece is glistening and coated with garlicky goodness.
Step 3: Arrange and Roast
Spread the seasoned veggies out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roasting on parchment makes cleanup easy and ensures no sticking.
Slide the pan into the oven and roast for 18–20 minutes. The secret is to let the edges brown slightly while the carrots stay tender-crisp. Don’t overbake—or you’ll lose that bite!
Step 4: Finish with Zest, Juice, and Cheese
Once out of the oven, drizzle on fresh lemon juice and scatter lemon zest over the top. Sprinkle with a generous handful of sharp cheddar, letting it melt gently from the veggies’ heat.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Transfer right to the table and serve hot. Watch as those vibrant, cheesy vegetables disappear!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Spread veggies in a single layer so they roast instead of steam.
- Right Out of the Freezer: No need to defrost. Roast from frozen to keep that perfect texture.
- Watch the Clock: Start checking at the 15-minute mark—oven temps can vary.
- Zest Before Juicing: Always zest your lemon before juicing it; it’s much easier and less wasteful.
- Go Sharp on the Cheese: The sharper the cheddar, the more flavor without needing extra cheese.
How to Serve
Roasted Normandy blend veggies play well on any dinner plate. Here are some favorite pairings:
- Classic Side: Perfect with grilled chicken, seared fish, or baked tofu.
- In a Bowl: Tuck into grain bowls with brown rice, quinoa, or farro. Add a drizzle of tahini for a little extra richness.
- Over Pasta: Toss them into your favorite pasta with a bit more olive oil for an easy veggie-packed dinner.
- Frittata Upgrade: Leftovers are amazing folded into omelets or scrambled eggs.
Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for extra color and flavor boost!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Stash any leftover veggies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They reheat beautifully and are fabulous for next-day lunches.
Freezing
While it’s possible to re-freeze roasted veggies, their texture may soften after reheating. To avoid mushiness, try to cook just what you’ll use.
Reheating
Warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave gently. Give a fresh hit of lemon and a sprinkle of cheese to perk up the flavors.
FAQs
-
Do I need to thaw the frozen vegetables first?
No thawing needed. Toss them straight from freezer to oven—the intense heat will roast them perfectly and preserve texture.
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What if I don’t have parchment paper?
Not a dealbreaker! Just grease your baking sheet lightly with olive oil or use a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
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Can I make this dairy-free?
Definitely—just leave out the cheese or use your favorite dairy-free cheese alternative. The veggies and lemon are plenty flavorful on their own
Final Thoughts
This Normandy blend vegetables recipe delivers the ultimate in easy comfort, with just enough brightness and richness to keep you coming back for more. It’s a sure way to put more vegetables on your table—quickly, deliciously, and without a fuss. Give it a try tonight, and let these vibrant, lemony, cheesy veggies steal the show at your next meal!
PrintThe Best Normandy Blend Vegetables Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side-dishes
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Normandy Blend Vegetables recipe is an effortless, healthy, and flavor-packed side dish that combines a medley of vegetables tossed in garlic and olive oil, then roasted to perfection and finished with lemon zest and cheddar cheese. It’s the perfect quick and tasty way to elevate frozen veggies into a crowd-pleasing dish in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 32 ounces frozen Normandy blend vegetables
Seasoning & Oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Touches
- 1 medium lemon, zest and juice
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for roasting the vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables – Place the frozen Normandy blend vegetables in a sealable bag or a large bowl to allow for easy tossing.
- Add Seasonings – Add the minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to the vegetables. Toss thoroughly until all the vegetables are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Arrange for Baking – Spread the coated vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This ensures even roasting and easy cleanup.
- Bake Vegetables – Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the florets start to brown slightly and the carrots are tender-crisp. Check them at the 18-minute mark; continue roasting if you want more color.
- Add Lemon and Cheese – Remove the vegetables from the oven. Optionally, drizzle with lemon juice, then sprinkle lemon zest and shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the hot vegetables. Let the cheese melt slightly from the residual heat.
- Serve – Serve the Normandy blend vegetables hot and enjoy as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- You can use an equal amount of fresh carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and squash cut into bite-sized pieces if you prefer fresh vegetables. Reduce the cooking time by 3-5 minutes for fresh veggies.
- Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Feel free to add other seasonings such as Italian herbs or crushed red pepper for a flavor twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 43
- Sugar: 0.01g
- Sodium: 97mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0.4g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg